EASY WINS IN A SMALL GROUP, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE ROUND A FIRE PIT

It's really valuable to think about what you're trying to achieve: A warm welcome? Relationship-building? Fun? Deeper conversations? Prayer and response?

STARTERS

WOULD YOU RATHER?

Need some ideas?*

GLOW

LOW

HERO

High point, low point, and hero of the week

10 SECONDS

In 10 seconds, each person must name a boy's name, girl's name, animal, town/city, country beginning with a chosen letter. They've got to be said in the right order as well. Choose a different letter for each person.

TOP THREE

Movies, YouTubers, Instagrammers, interests, memories, possessions, foods, bands, books, sports, teachers, etc.

Share it in twos, then feedback.

SUSSED

Great card game to get people talking

Find out more**

GAMES RESOURCES

Need some ideas?

DRAW IT

Give each person a piece of white card and a pencil. Show them a line drawing for 10 seconds, then hide it for another minute or so while people finish their drawing. The most accurate copy wins. Each person can then draw something for others to copy.

* This link will take you to Conversation Starters World. I have no affiliation with the website, nor have I checked every suggestion it gives, but it will give you some ideas and will kickstart some more.

** This link will take you to the Sussed website if you want to find out more or buy the game. I have no affiliation with Sussed.

Starter& main

Get hold of a Fusion DMC (Deep, meaningful conversations) deck or a Discipleship deck to give you some great conversations. These are designed for students, so not all will be appropriate for all youth. You might want to take out some cards beforehand.

Check them out here

Raising the Bar Fire Pit (Tom Swinnen on

MAINS

FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY

All play.

FAVOURITE BIBLE BOOK

All play.

TESTIMONY

Prepare one to share (maybe start with a leader), then others can ask questions!***

FAVOURITE BIBLE VERSE

All play

*** If someone wouldn't call themselves a Christian, you could say, 'Could you tell me how you've come on a journey in the general direction of God?' or even, 'What brought you or keeps you coming to this group?'

MAINS

DISCUSS A VERSE

Prepare one to discuss that young people will engage well with, or young person can bring one.

WHAT QUESTION DO YOU MOST GET ASKED ABOUT CHRISTIANITY?

WHICH BIT OF THE BIBLE DO YOU STRUGGLE MOST TO UNDERSTAND?

MORE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Click here

DESSERTS

Some groups will find it easy to pray, others almost impossible. Help people to pray by making it really easy, then build up.

FILL IN THE GAP...

WITH A PERSON

Say, "'Dear God, I pray for...' then put in someone's name. Might be a friend who's having a hard time, a relative who's sick, or whatever. Everyone thought of someone? I'll start and you can go next. Dear God, I pray for...' You can make it relevant to what you've talked about if that fits.

FILL IN THE GAP...

WITH A PLACE

Say, "'Dear God, I pray for...' then put in a country or a group of people. Might be a place where there is war, or a group of people who are treated unfairly, or whatever. Everyone thought of a place? If you really can't think of somewhere, then just say, 'Pass'. I'll start and you can go next. Dear God, I pray for...' You can make it relevant to what you've talked about if that fits.

SILENCE

Yes, you can do this, even round a fire pit.

Young people love to sit round a a fire pit!

Be creative:

Give young people marshmallows to toast (you can buy extra-long skewers)
Get individual portions of chips delivered
Ask an ice cream van to visit (yes, it may still be cold in the evenings, but is it ever too cold for ice cream?!)
Or a hot dog van
Or a hot chocolate van